Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Keep In Touch: By Michael Ginsburg

A note from the editor:

For the first time in the history of this blog and my short
writing career I’m going to admit that someone nailed the nostalgia post better
than I have. Yes, it’s the millionth
time you’re reading about the longing for the past that us young adults
continue to feel as we grow up, but Michael (a regular contributor now it
seems), really brings up a good point here.
Enjoy.

There probably
could not have been a better surprise than the phone call I received late last
Tuesday night. I had just finished my weekly 3-hour class and Jake was calling
me to tell me that he had decided to book a flight back to Baltimore at the
last minute. Before, I was looking forward to coming home for my birthday over
fall break, but only a handful of my friends were going to be home, and now my
weekend would surely be a little more exciting.

While we were only
home for about five days, we made the most out of the time we had back in
Pikesville. We did everything we wanted, ate everywhere we wanted, and even
ventured on a brief road trip. It was just like we never left. Every morning
he’d outsleep me per usual, but I’d call and wake him up anyway. After all,
running on just a couple hours of sleep for one weekend never killed anyone.

Whether it was
deciding on where to eat lunch or just our casual banter on the drive south
down I-95, we found ourselves arguing just like old times. It was reminiscent
of our daily car rides to the Park School, even though those days were almost
two years ago. We were back in action, just like Kornheiser
and Wilbon. Interestingly enough, sometimes it’s the trivial quarrels, not the
memorable events that define a friendship.
Those everyday conversations and communications that friends take for
granted when they see each other regularly are easily forgotten.

Amidst all the
crazy shenanigans we did over the last five days, our final conversation before
he hopped out of my Ford Explorer Tuesday morning will stick with me more than
anything else. We sat in my car before we parted ways for the airport, and as
always, we got nostalgic. We reminisced on upper, middle and even lower school
memories. Whether it was shoveling driveways on snow days, playing sports
together, or even just talking about stuff that happened in high school, everything
was covered. The song changed and he relented that after this one he’d finally
have to step inside the house and pack up his bag, but for some reason we just
remained in the car.

The coolest thing
we decided is that no matter how far apart, or how little we talk at times
simply does not matter. He told me how weird it is that he just doesn’t keep in
touch with some people he used to, and now they aren’t a part of his life. But
sometimes, most times, there’s an exception to the rule. It wouldn’t matter if
we didn’t talk for weeks or even months; right when we’d see each other,
everything would be normal.

As I write this sitting
on the plane back to New Orleans, I think about how many people I spoke to in
high school, or even this past summer that I’ve simply lost touch with. I
wonder if I saw them tomorrow, would it be like we never lost contact? I think,
just based on experience, that if you can see someone after an extended period
without speaking and have it be like nothing happened, they are someone you
might want to consider keeping in your life.

To use Jake’s
classic line, I implore you to call up someone you haven’t spoken to in a
while. Say something if you need to—take a step to diminish the bad blood,
bitter feelings, or inexcusable lack of communication. I guarantee you that
some words, any words, are always better than none. Never leave something on
bad terms; you never know if it’s the last time you’ll ever see that friend
that you haven’t talked to because of one stupid argument two years in the past.
Try it out, and make someone’s day; I’m more than confident it’ll make yours
too.